Livraria Bertrand - Chiado image

Livraria Bertrand - Chiado

Book store

One of the Top rated Book stores in Lisbon


Address

R. Garrett 73 75, 1200-203 Lisboa, Portugal

Website

www.bertrand.pt

Contact

+351 21 030 5590

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (5.3K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 9 AM to 10 PM
  • Thursday: 9 AM to 10 PM
  • Friday: 9 AM to 10 PM
  • Saturday: 9 AM to 10 PM
  • Sunday: 9 AM to 10 PM
  • Monday: 9 AM to 10 PM
  • Tuesday: 9 AM to 10 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: books (27) book (19) bookstore (17) oldest (12) cafe (10) visit (10) store (9) world (8) selection (8) nice (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Akhil D. 1 year ago on Google
    Definitely a cool place! Lots of interesting magazines and publications along with classic books in several languages. When purchasing a book, be sure to ask for a stamp where they'll stamp the first page saying that you bought it at the oldest bookstore in the world. The cafe options are a little disappointing. Was expecting more than just a basic coffee, but oh well. Would be nice if there was more room to sit and read some books. Currently the space doesn't seem like it's being utilized in the best possible way.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Kakhaber S. 1 year ago on Google
    Apart from being longest running bookstore in Europe, I have not noticed anything specifically good about Livraria Bertrand. It's large, with lots of books, but same as other bookstores. Moreover, it's overcrowded as it always pops up in must visit tourist lists. If you want really decent bookshop, visit Livraria Sa Da Costa in 50 meters. You will find many rare and used books
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael Wu P. 3 months ago on Google • 1031 reviews New
    This is the oldest operating bookstore according to the Guinness record. Is ~300 years old, started in 1732. Yet today it is still in operation today. It's quite impressive to see how they have redesigned the interior to what people expect of a modern bookstore. They even have a little cafe on the back. You should definitely check this out as it's historic!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Clara C. 5 months ago on Google • 108 reviews
    I heard this was the oldest bookstore in the world. I am more of an audiobook person, but I still wanted to check out what it was like. Despite it being known as the oldest in the world, the inside was completely remodeled and looked very contemporary. At the back end, they even have a small coffee shop. At the entrance, they displayed artful books of Portugal and Lisbon. Each room has a different category. I was happy to see they had a good selection of books in English. There was a section of games and puzzles. They had several shelves of planners, calendars, and random cute stationery. This is a fun spot to visit for maybe 10-15 minutes, depending on how much you like to browse. It’s near city center, so it’s pretty convenient. They do have restrooms in the middle room.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 April Y. 2 years ago on Google
    Love this bookstore! The staff are super friendly and helpful. I came in looking for Jose Saramago’s book but they didn’t have it so they helped me ordered it and delivered to the store (I really want to purchase the book in this particular location because it’s the oldest operating bookstore in the world). They made the whole process smooth and easy for me. They even kept me updated throughout my waiting period and notified me when the book has arrived. Their books are fairly-priced and I love the fact that they also sell some book-related merchandise (like shopping bag that has quotes about reading, bookmarks, etc). I hope they will stay in business for a long, long time. When I come visit Portugal next time I would love to step in this wonderful place again! Big shoutout to the staff that helped me order my book and made the pickup process frictionless for me!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Priya 2 months ago on Google • 541 reviews New
    I wish they had good guidance for the books and more english books since travelers visit a lot. They have lot of Portuguese selection of books. And also a cafe! The cafe ladies are super sweet!!!! 😀

  • 5/5 Nuno C. 5 months ago on Google • 435 reviews
    Oldest operating bookstore in the world, as confirmed by the Guinness Book of Records in the popular Chiado district. Really interesting domed vaulted ceiling interior layout housing a large variety of books. A good selection of other languages available as well. Staff was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. There is a small coffee shop and some reading areas available as well.

  • 5/5 Mariusz R. 8 months ago on Google • 74 reviews
    As bookworms we must see place which hold title for Oldest world bookstore. Nice open space, sofas where you can sit and books. Good stop in Lisbon Tour.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jeff H. 6 months ago on Google • 392 reviews
    Oldest operating bookstore. Very interesting. Architecture of book store was beautiful. It is larger than it seems from outside. Staffs were very friendly and well organized. There are restroom as well. Good place to stop by and enjoy the beauty of old bookstore.

  • 5/5 Kara B. 5 months ago on Google • 14 reviews
    The library has simple but classic interior & exterior. But I loved the selection of books and that it was not too crowded. They also have a small cafe at the end where you can enjoy a cup of coffee & a good book. Must visit if you are into books & library cafes.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alina L. 2 years ago on Google
    Cosy bookshop, has a very large selection of books, they are also in English. It is worth wandering through all the corridors to the end of the bookshop, because there is a "hidden" cafe there. This is also of historical importance, as meetings in the bookshop were the only legal option when it came to meeting people during the dictatorship in the 20th century.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Svetlana B. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely lovely place and a must see even for non-book lovers! Stunningly unpretentious, and displaying some of the finest and most beautiful book selections I've seen so far. Plus, their café is also worth paying a visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alena K. 6 months ago on Google
    A very nice place with lots of books and a small cafe inside. The architecture is quite interesting. Because it’s located in Chiado, there is a ton of tourists inside, so be prepared. They are pet friendly, or so it says at the door!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Traveling O. 6 months ago on Google • 296 reviews
    This was my favorite spot in Porto, Portugal. I love books and there were so many to love, written in so many lanuages. Built in 1881, (and Bertrands in Lisbon) these are the most famous bookstores in all of Europe. The architecture, design, history are stunning. Once inside, I actually gasped . There are beautiful bookcases lining the walls and a spectacular spiral staircase taking you upstairs to stained glass and magnificent ceiling design. We walked Porto with a private Guide. She was able to Fast Pass us in. The lines to get in are extremely long. Buy advance tickets.

  • 4/5 Carol M. 6 months ago on Google • 37 reviews
    To Go or Not To Go: Go, however, this will not take long as it is a beautiful but rather small bookstore (and adjacent cafe). It is good to go so that you can say you went. You can buy books here and there is a lovely area where you can sit and hang out. That’s pretty much it. It will be crowded!

  • 5/5 Minh P. 1 year ago on Google
    It’s not as big as I imagined, but they have books in French, English and Spanish. The shop assistants were really nice and helpful. I went on a Saturday so there was a small street book market right next to the book shop where you could get second-hand books, old postcards, old maps etc, which is very cool.

  • 5/5 F. N. 10 months ago on Google
    Beautiful old book store with a large collection of different books. This is the oldest book store in Lisbon and is in a really nice building. The store is well organised with different compartments with different topics, this is indicated on the ground. I recommend visiting this book store.

  • 5/5 Ashlin Van R. 1 year ago on Google
    Knowledgeable staff and beautiful historic space. Stamping our book purchases was a nice touch and I'm thoroughly enjoying the Portuguese graphic novel they recommended (translation).

  • 4/5 Julia Martinez J. 8 months ago on Google
    Overrated, it is true that its the oldest and the first hall its pretty awesome. It has like 50 books of english other 50 of spanish, then french and german. There’s a bar and some tablea at the end of the library so you can read and sip your coffee as if you were the main character of a film 😂

  • 4/5 Nicoll van der N. 10 months ago on Google
    It's a nice bookstore, big but crowded. I would've liked of they had a bigger english book variety, seeing as it is a very big tourist attraction.

  • 5/5 Chris C. 10 months ago on Google
    Today I went to Livraria Bertrand which is the oldest(1732)operating bookshop you can visit and buy a book if interested. There’s a cafe inside the corner.

  • 5/5 Cooper M. 1 year ago on Google
    The oldest operating bookstore in the world! The selection of English language books was small, but in my opinion that's a good thing. You don't travel to Lisbon for books in English! The vaulted rooms and overall atmosphere were phenomenal. Definitely worth a visit!

  • 5/5 Jung L. 1 year ago on Google
    You don’t come here to buy books though you could spend hours browsing. You come here to appreciate the institution that this place has become. I love the quirky elongated tunnel like space that reminds me of an underground wine cellarr befitting of the oldest bookstore title. There is a also a cafe in the back that sells delicious sweets and coffee.

  • 5/5 Marnix R. 2 years ago on Google
    World oldest operating book store. The book store is a lot bigger then it seems from the outside. Most of the books that are being sold are being sold in Portuguese. Still worth to have a look into the store to see the vast selection of books and nice interior.

  • 5/5 Meg D. 1 year ago on Google
    Must visit while you’re in Lisbon! Beautiful tiled exterior, well-organized and the oldest continuously running bookstore in the world. They’ll stamp your book purchase with a note declaring the place of purchase if you ask at checkout. English and Portuguese stamps available. Small English-language section for tourists.

  • 5/5 Rhett De G. 1 year ago on Google
    Very large area for a bookstore. Very wide and varied selection not just in Portuguese, but in English as well. There are also some collections in other languages. My first time in Portugal and I really looked for this place. I bought a copy of little prince in Portuguese for my collection in different languages.


Call +351 21 030 5590 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ In-store pickup
    • ✓️ In-store shopping

Trends



Last updated:

Similar places



Similar Book stores nearby

Ler Devagar image
1
Ler Devagar
Book store
Quirky bookshop with 2 levels & walls stacked high with shelves, plus a little coffee shop.
4.60 (1.3K reviews)
Liberty: brunch, coffee & wine image
2
Liberty: brunch, coffee & wine
Brunch restaurant
👍👍 This was probably one of my favorite brunches in Lisbon so far. We got there early around 10-11 and managed to get a spot pretty easily. When we left there was a lineup. Surprised the line wasn't longer. Every dish we had was spectacular... What we ordered / would we get it again Yogurt - if you...
$$ $$
4.90 (1.2K reviews)
Hello, Kristof image
3
Hello, Kristof
Coffee shop
👍👍 Coffee and magazines. With a simple tagline Hello Kristof creates a homey and cozy atmosphere filled with great conversations and even greater coffee. The food menu is simple but their pastries and toasts are out of this world. Plenty of vegetarian options on the food menu that won’t make you miss m...
$$ $$
4.60 (1K reviews)
Espiral image
4
Espiral
Restaurant
👍 Prices a bit expensive. I expected som 'budget wallet prices'. Tough. You only live once.
$ $$$
4.00 (141 reviews)
Last updated:
()